27 Mar 2023 – Monday of Week 5 of Lent (1) Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 31-62 Susanna is falsely accused; Daniel’s questions uncover the truth There was a man living in Babylon whose name was Joakim. And he took a wife named Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, a very beautiful woman and one who feared the…
26 Mar 2023 – 5th Sunday of Lent, Year A (1) Ezekiel 37:12-14 During the exile, God’s people were like a pile of dried bones Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I…
Presider’s Page for 26 March (Fifth Sunday of Lent) In under a fortnight’s time, the Easter Triduum will begin, on Holy Thursday evening. During the Triduum, each of us recalls the great events that Easter remembers. We ask God’s help in the last 10 days of Lent. Penitential Rite To prepare ourselves to hear God’s…
Sat 25 Mar 2023 – The Annunciation of the Lord 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 King Ahaz refuses to ask a sign of the Lord; Isaiah promises a child to be called Immanuel Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high…
24 Mar 2023 – Friday of Week 4 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Macartan, First Bishop of Clogher, known as Patrick’s ‘Strong Man; for his dedication and faithfulness. (1) Wisdom 2:1, 12-22 Malice against the good foreshadows the Passion of Jesus Foolish people reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves, “Short and sorrowful is our life, and…
Thursday of Week 4 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Turibus of Mongrovejo, 1538-1606, a layman appointed Bishop fo Lima, Peru by King Philip 11. (1) Exodus 32:7-14 Though his people rebel, Moses begs another chance for them The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the…
22 Mar 2023 – Wednesday of Week 4 of Lent (1) Isaiah 49:8-15 God promises the exiles, “You’ll be a sign of salvation!” Thus says the Lord: ‘In a time of favour I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant…
21 Mar 2023 – Tuesday of Week 4 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Enda, associated with Louth and Aran. Died c 520, one of the early models of Irish ascetic monasticism. (1) Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 Life-giving water flows out from the Temple of God Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple;…
March (19) 20 – Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-6, 12-14, 16 From king David’s offspring will come the universal spiritual King But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to…
19 Mar 2023 – 4th Sunday of Lent, Year A (1) 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 Samuel selects and anoints young David as future king of Israel The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set…
Presider’s Page for 19 March (Fourth Sunday of Lent – Laetare Sunday) Opening Comment Traditionally, this Sunday is called Laetare Sunday, which means ‘a day for joy’. At this midpoint of Lent, it is traditional to honour mothers, treasuring those still with us and praying for those we have lost to death. Penitential Rite Let us remember…
18 Mar 2023 – Saturday of Week 3 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Cyril of Jerusalem, 315-386, catechist and administrator, suffered exile for his fight against Arianism. (1) Hosea 6:1-6 God wants our love more than ritual sacrifice “Come, let us return to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will…
17 March: St Patrick, Patron of Ireland 1st Reading: Sirach 39:6-10 Filled with the spirit of understanding If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own and give thanks to the Lord in prayer. The Lord will direct his…
Presider’s Page for Friday 17 March (Lá Fhéile Pádraig) Opening Comment In the heart of Lent, we keep the feast of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. We mark the day by praising God the creator, who sustained Patrick in good times and bad, and who, we pray, will sustain us every day. Penitential Rite…
16 Mar 2023 – Thursday of Week 3 of Lent (1) Jeremiah 7:23-28 Life’s highest goal is obedient response to God But this command I gave them, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you, so that it…
15 Mar 2023 – Wednesday of Week 3 of Lent (1) Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 God’s people have clear duties and a high destiny So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the…
14 Mar 2023 – Tuesday of Week 3 of Lent (1) Daniel 3:25, 34-43 Nebuchadnezzar admires the miraculous escape of the young Jews Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O…
13 Mar 2023 – Monday of Week 3 of Lent Tenth anniversary of the election of Pope Francis. (1) 2 Kings 5:1-15 Naaman the Syrian takes the prophet’s advice and is cured of leprosy Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favour with his master,…
12 Mar 2023 – 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A (1) Exodus 17:3-7 God provides refreshes his people in the wilderness But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So…
Presider’s Page for 12 March (Third Sunday of Lent) Today’s readings about water and thirst remind us that this is a baptismal season. The holy water of baptism blesses and protects the faithful in every danger, it washes away sin and refreshes the faith of believers…. Penitential Rite To prepare ourselves for this gathering, let…
